The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-11-03
BY the President:
THOMAS +. BAYARD, Secretary OF State
From the Sanford Journal
Judge WIN. A. Cooke.
TN MEMORIAA.)


Died at his residence near Sanford, Florida,
on the 18th instant after short illness, the Hon.
VIM. A. Cooke, in the 65th year OF his age.
Judge Cooke was native of POwhatan county,
Virginia, and was born ON the 10th day of May,
1922. lie graduated at the grand old William
and Mary College at the age ct 81. In the year
1S43 he WAS admitted to the bar, and for many
years before the war practlced law in HenrcO,
Chesterfield and the neighbOriug counties. On
the 9Th day April, 1852, he WIS married to Miss
Kate Parkhill, daughter of Colonel Samuel
Paikhill, OF Tallahassee, Florida, who was to
him, for IS years, a loving and devoted wife, and
who survives him, crushed and broken hearted
widow. Judge Cooke, before the war, published
his very learned work, the History of the Con-
stitution of the United States. During the war,
Mr.. Cooke held an Office in the Treasury Depart
ment of the Confederate States Government I'LL
til near the close of the war, when his health
failing him, he removed to Florida, and for seve-
raj years did large practice in the courts of the
Second Judicial Circuit. In 1858 Mr. Cooke was
appointed Judge of the Circuit Court of the Sec
ond Judicial Circuit of Florida, but held that
office for only short time
In 1872 Judge Cooke was appointed Attorney
General of the State of Florida. Being Demo-
Graf OF the stricest Sort he failed to give salts
faction to the Republicans who then had posses
sion and control OF the State Government, and
many attempts were made to induce him to re-
sign his position, that subservient and plant
tool might be appointed in his stead. But feel
ing that the destnies OF the State were in large
degree in his hands, he retained position other
wise extremely dstasteful to him. BY nature of
his office of Attorney General Judge Cooke was
one of the State Returning Board whose duty
IL was 10 canvass the returns of the election of
State officers, members OF the Legislature, Rep
resentatives in Congress and Electors for Pres-
dent OF the United States. 1t as foreseen that
desperate efforts would be made to retain pes
session of their ll-g ,tten control of the State
Government by the carpet-bag party. II was
also well known that the Democratic party, and
the respectable portion of the Republican party
were IN the majority, and most earnestly de-
manded a change in the administration of our
State affairs. The result of the election in 1875
is too well known 10 need rehearsal. The ma
jorty of the people voted tor the Democratic
candidates; George F. Drew was elected Gov
erner, and the Democratic Electors were chosen
to cast the vote of the State for Mr. Tiden. How
the carpet-baggers succeeded in stealing the vote
for Hayes is well known Judge Cooke commended
long and ably, but in vain, to defeat the vile
scheme OF his associates. Notwithstanding his
failure the people approved the conduct of Judge
Cooke and the plaudit well done thou good
and faithful servant" went up from the people
all over the State, and great was the popular sat-
isfaction when Governor Drew appointed this
noble public servant to the position of Judge of
the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, which
position he adorned for eight years, and until
April, 1885. Judge Cooke was u profound scholar
and jurist, writer and speaker of ability, and in
all the qualities that go to make up The good cii-
gen. neighbor and friend, and the devoted hus-
band ne was unsurpassed. His friends and fel-
ioW'cltlzens deplore his loss, and his devoted
wife will know no consolation until she reioins
him in the Fathers House above Requiescat in
pdce
We learn that the above tribute 10 the mem.
DRY of his long time friend is from the pen of
Colonel William Scott, of Gainesville-EDs.
FLORIDIAN